Black Panther has not only taken the box office by storm during its opening weekend, but is inspiring movements in fashion, voting and even random acts of kindness.
The Marvel film, directed by Fruitvale Station and Creed filmmaker Ryan Coogler, hit $192 million US in ticket sales in North America over the weekend.
The number, which is a preliminary estimate according to the website Box Office Mojo, makes Black Panther the fifth-biggest opening weekend ever (not accounting for inflation) behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Jurassic World and The Avengers.
Black Panther, which had a budget of $200 million US, also beat 2016’s Deadpool to become the highest-grossing February opening weekend and has a 97 per cent fresh rating on the audience-driven Rotten Tomatoes site.
It stars Chadwick Boseman as the lead character T’Challa, alongside a predominantly black cast including Angela Bassett, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya and Lupita Nyong’o.
The story revolves around the fictional, resource-rich East African nation of Wakanda.
Michael B. Jordan, left, and Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther are part of a strong cast including Angela Bassett, Daniel Kaluuya and Lupita Nyong’o. (Matt Kennedy/Marvel Studios)
Throughout the weekend, countless movie-goers around the world dressed in traditional and African-inspired clothing to see the film and celebrate its cultural reflections.
Y’all!! We are in line for the movie with the real life DORA MILAJAE!! These beautiful, bald, fierce Black Ladies! #BlackPanther #WakandaForever #BlackGirlsAreMagic pic.twitter.com/NZ0ErDga1U
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@thepbg
This might be the best #BlackPanther photo ever pic.twitter.com/dEsKYy6ppu
And it wasn’t the only way people were connecting.
Academy Award-winning actress Brie Larson, who’s set to play the title role in Captain Marvel, sparked a pay-it-forward campaign online this week with a single tweet on Thursday.
One of the best things you can do for yourself and/or the ones you love is purchase some #BlackPanther tix. I know it’s expensive to go to the theater, but its worth it for this one. You will exit forever impacted.
Since then, Larson has been re-tweeting posts from around the world which have taken over her page, connecting people offering to pay for Black Panther tickets with those who might not be able to afford them.
KAZAKHSTAN! Sam is an angel ready to help you see #BlackPanther if you can’t afford it at the moment. https://t.co/oFsENwWzlw
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – comment below if you are dying to see #BlackPanther but can’t afford right now. https://t.co/OQ9ngJ55tl
TORONTO! If you can’t afford to see #BlackPanther right now, Nicolle wants to help! https://t.co/9YJnnJdyxa
We are about to enter! THANK YOU SO MUCH @brielarson for the RT and specially MUCHAS GRACIAS to @ericbsion for being so kind and buy the tickets!! I appreciate it so much! pic.twitter.com/57pLJDkAzL
And because the film is ripe with political allusions to refugees, isolationism and unity, it’s also providing an opportunity for some to capitalize on the inspiration for change.
An American activist group called the Electoral Justice Project is using screenings to encourage registration among black voters in the U.S. by promoting the hashtag WakandaTheVote and helping set up booths outside theatres.
